Sport

India begin their T20 World Cup preparations with Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya returning for the five-match series against South Africa in Cuttack. With Suryakumar Yadav’s form under scrutiny and the Samson-Jitesh debate ongoing, India aim to refine combinations before February’s showpiece

Hyderabad scored 256 on the opening day of the Cooch Behar Trophy under-19 league match against Punjab at NFC Ground, Hyderabad. T S Rama Krishna (81) and Wafi Kachchhi (70) starred, while Punjab’s Anmoljeet claimed 7 wickets. Punjab reached 58/0

Maharashtra gained a crucial first-innings lead against Hyderabad in the Vijay Merchant Trophy under-16 Elite Group match at Mulapadu. D Eknath scored 119 and Prajwal More hit 170 as Maharashtra reached 366/7 in reply to Hyderabad’s 301

Telugu kickboxers Harsha Ratnakar and Naisha Bajaj reached the quarterfinals of the Senior World Kickboxing Championship in Dubai before winning State gold in Sangareddy. Naisha will compete in the Khelo India Asmita Zonal league, while both athletes seek greater support

Hyderabad entered the knock-out phase of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 despite losing to Chandigarh by four wickets in Kolkata. P Aman Rao and Pragnay Reddy top-scored for Hyderabad, while Arjun Azad guided Chandigarh to victory with 63 runs

Khammam archers E Avanthika and K Lohitha Sri have been selected to represent the State in the upcoming Nationals. Both impressed with strong performances at the Senior State-level archery championship held at Delhi Public School, Kolluru, Hyderabad

A 10-member Indian para-cycling team trained by Aditya Mehta Foundation won two silver and nine bronze medals at the Thailand Para Cycling Cup in Korat. Young cyclists Vishva and Lisha led the medal tally with multiple podium finishes

The GVK-AISTA Senior National Tennis Championship qualifiers began at LB Stadium, Hyderabad, with players across 35, 45 and 55 years categories. C H Nagaraju led the 45-plus group, while several veterans including Ramgopal, Appala Raju and Samson Yohan registered wins

Mumbai Smashers completed a stunning turnaround to defeat Hyderabad Royals 5-1 in the Indian Pickleball League final in Delhi. The Times Group–backed, IPA-sanctioned league saw Mumbai rise from sixth place to champions, capping their run in front of dignitaries and fans.

Tech Mahindra Foundation has launched a nationwide Chess League for children with speech and hearing impairment under its ARISE+ disability programme. Over 130 children have registered, with city winners set to witness the Global Chess League Finals in Mumbai this month.

The ACA’s professional and fan-friendly conduct during the India–South Africa ODI in Visakhapatnam drew widespread appreciation. From seamless entry and courteous staff to transparent ticketing and well-maintained facilities, the match showcased why Vizag continues to be a preferred venue for major international fixtures.

Mittapalli Rithvika continued her strong run, winning a silver in the 50m breaststroke and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke at the 28th Speedo Invitational Short Course Championship in Dubai. Telangana Swimming Association officials lauded her impressive international showing.

India’s ODI series win over South Africa saw Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deliver strong performances, while youngsters like Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna impressed. Coach Gautam Gambhir praised the balance between experienced players and emerging talent

Anish Bhanwala won silver in the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha, finishing behind China’s Li Yuehong. It was his second medal at the event, improving on the bronze he won two years ago

India’s bid to reclaim the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup ended with a 1-5 loss to Germany in the semifinal at Chennai. Anmol Ekka scored India’s lone goal. Germany will face Spain in the final, India meet Argentina for bronze

Three athletes from Telangana — B Akira Nandan, G Shirisha and Srinikesh — have been selected to represent India in the Para Youth Asian Games starting tomorrow in Dubai. The announcement was made by G Prasanth, president of Para Sports Association of Telangana

Chennai boys and Sudev FC girls emerged champions in the HCL Foundation Football League 2 Tier 1 at Secunderabad RRC Ground. Former India captain Victor Amalraj and AFC coach E S Shyam attended the valedictory function

Secunderabad Club defeated Sacred Heart by 88 runs in the HCA C-Division one-day league cricket championship. Narender top-scored with 74, while Rambabu took 3/14. Sacred Heart were bowled out for 155 in 29.3 overs

Ram Charan scored a superb 148 to help Hyderabad post 301 against Maharashtra on the opening day of the Vijay Merchant Trophy Under-16 Elite Group match at Mulapadu. Prince added 73, while Neel Chandratre took 6/50 for Maharashtra

Telangana athletes B Akira Nandan, G Shirisha and Srinikesh have been selected to represent India in the Para Youth Asian Games starting tomorrow in Dubai. The announcement was made by G Prasanth, president of the Para Sports Association of Telangana

Chennai boys and Delhi’s Sudev FC girls won the HCL Foundation Football League 2 Tier 1 titles at Secunderabad RRC Ground. Former India captain Victor Amalraj and coach E S Shyam attended the valedictory function

V Jyothi Surekha won bronze in the women’s individual compound event at the Taipei Archery Open 2025, defeating Korea’s So Chaewon 149-143. The Vijayawada-based archer has already won 26 World Cup medals, including 11 gold, in her career

St Anthony’s Church, Venkatapuram, defeated St Bernard Church 3-1, while St Mary’s Basilica beat St Ann’s 2-1 in the United Christmas Celebrations football tournament at Bolarum. Venkatapuram, Gandhinagar, Mary’s and John Maria teams advanced to the semifinals

Michael Neser claimed his maiden five-wicket haul as Australia defeated England by eight wickets in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba. Steve Smith’s unbeaten 23 sealed the chase, giving Australia a 2-0 lead in the five-match series